You Otto Go Here

Experience Mario Batali on a Budget!

If you have seen a trend in my last couple of posts, I attempted to find joy during lunch breaks to survive the intensive class I had last week. Two of my close girl friends (Christine and Kate) and I went to Otto Enoteca Pizzeria (http://www.ottopizzeria.com/restaurant.cfm) for a relaxing lunch.

We wanted to split a salad, pasta and pizza. After looking at the menu, we picked three crowd pleasers. I forgot the snap a photo of the salad. We chose the Otto Chopped Salad. It is super yummy and not too heavy. The dressing is light and tasty and the salad is chock-full of goodness (meat, cheese and veggies).

For our pasta, we split the Spaghetti Alla Carbonara, made with pancetta, scallions, black pepper and egg.  Very creamy and full of flavor!

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

For our pizza, we chose the Margherita D.O.P made with tomato, bufala mozzarella and basil. This is a yummy pizza that isn't too heavy. It was a great choice to complement the pasta which was heavy (and delicious!).

Margherita D.O.P

I was really happy with the mix of food that we got. I didn't want an entire pizza or salad or pasta. This was a wonderful way to sample a lot of different things.

Check this spot out!
Liz

 

Hot Ramen by Washington Square Park

Nothing Warms You Up Like Hot Noodles

During a break last week during my intensive class, I stopped by Ramen Takumi (http://www.ramentakumi.com/Web/) with two of my classmates, Tavi and Jessica. We were both in the need of something to distract us from an unending day of back to back sessions.

Jessica suggested this spot and I trust her advice! It was pretty easy to decide what to order: MISO RAMEN! From 11:30am to 3:30PM there is a lunch special and most dishes are a $1 off. My huge bowl of ramen was $10.95 instead of $11.95. You can add extra pork for $2.

Miso Ramen

This is a great quick lunch that warms you up and fills you up!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Strip Down Bare(Burger)

Delicious Burgers and Incredible Sweet Potato Fries!

During a painful intensive class I needed to take to graduate, we took a lunch break at nearby Bareburger (http://www.bareburger.com/restaurant/535-laguardia-place/). I've been to this place multiple times and I decided to finally write it up.

My group split an order of Harvest Sweet Potato Fries. The order is HUGE and certainly way too much for one person, let alone 4. It is served with two sauces: smoked paprika mayo and curry ketchup. The ketchup was nasty but one of my friends, Michelle, loved it, so I let her go to town on it.

For my entrée, I ordered the Country Bacon, made with sharp cheddar, country bacon, green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and mayo. I ordered it with beef and medium well.

Country Bacon

This is a great lunch spot near NYU. The burgers aren't cheap, but you can likely manage the price if you don't get a fancy one with all the bells and whistles that I did.

Cheers,

Liz

 

The Meal BEFORE the Meal

The Counter - Just Like in Charlotte, but Cooler!

After the musical ended, Courtney and I wanted a bit of a nibble. It was that awkward time in the evening (say 5pm) and we didn't have dinner reservations until later (8:15pm). Also, since it was at a super-hip restaurant, I knew we wouldn't actually eat until closer to 9pm. Like any rational person, we decided to have a mini-meal, a lunch-dinner or rather a linner.

While we were walking through hell (Times Square), we passed by The Counter (http://www.thecounterburger.com/), a burger chain that also had locations in my old city: Charlotte. I loved it when I was there and they had sliders, the perfect appetizer, so we went inside. I was pleased to see when I checked-in on Foursquare that there was an offer for a free small fries (regular or sweet potato) with your first check-in! BOOM! The value of social media. We went with sweet potato. They are served with a yummy horseradish aioli - soo good!

Sweet Potato Fries

I'm not a big beer drinker, but for some reason I was in the mood. Maybe it was the fried food and the promise of burgers. I ordered a draft Blue Moon. Yum.

The Orange Slice just MAKES IT SO MUCH BETTER!

We split an order of the sliders. It was the perfect amount of food to deal with our hunger!

They Taste as Good as They are Messy

This is great spot if you find yourself in the terror that is Times Square and need a quick bite! They also have really yummy Spiked Milkshakes!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Indian Lunch with Melissa!

Discounts Make Food Taste Better

Last week, I met Melissa for a break from her recruiting schedule. I have this entire month off from school, so naturally, this gave me a break from doing nothing. Near campus, there is a great Indian spot that offers a lunch special. Previously, it used to be 50% off entrees and now it is 30% off everything if you eat at the location. If you take lunch to go, it is still 50% off. I don't agree with this confusing pricing scheme, but whatever.

Melissa loves the same things that I do, so we split two different chicken dishes: Tikka Masala and Korma. We also got a side of Peas Pulao and Garlic Naan.

NOM

The chicken dishes were delicious, but somewhat stingy on the pieces of chicken. A bit disappointing. If you get a discount, it is only worth it if the portions are still the same size. Worth a try for the carry-out.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Ten Degrees of No PDT

Pick Up Your Phone When You Give PDT Your Number!

After Scott and I finished dinner and dessert, we wanted to visit PDT, located within Crif Dogs. You go within the unassuming hot dog spot to discover the hidden speakeasy. The phone booth has a number that you call. Then, someone within PDT opens up the phone booth and either 1. Invites you inside or 2. Takes your phone number for a reservation. We fell within 2 and Scott left his phone number. We decided to kill some time at a bar right down the street, Ten Degrees Bar (http://10degreesbar.com/).

I've been here before as it features a pretty awesome Happy Hour. 2 for 1 Drinks, 7 Days a week from noon to 8pm! Of course we entered the bar right after 8pm. I ordered a glass of red wine, I believe Montepulciano. It was $9 and quite nice.

Yay for Red Wine!

While we were at Ten Degrees, Scott's phone rang. Naturally, he didn't have the volume up or the phone even out, so we missed the reservation. When we showed up at PDT, we were told it would be another 30 minutes. So, we just went home. I am still determined to go there sometime soon! If you're in this area, check out 10 Degrees for an affordable drink.

Cheers,

Liz

Liz Like Thai

Ladies Who Lunch

This past Friday was a lovely "Girls' Day" with Melissa - a wonderful partner in crime! We went to Spice (http://www.spicethainyc.com/spice/home/index.html) on 199 8th Avenue. The weather was AWFUL and I was not prepared with what I had worn. General nastiness - cold and rain.

Once I got into the restaurant, I ordered a hot pot of tea. There were several selections and I went with the Lychee option - so tasty! I also loved the tea pot - so cute and dainty!

Hot Tea Please!

Like most Thai spots in the city, there is a Lunch Special from 11:30 AM to 3:30PM. Depending on the protein, you can get an appetizer and entrée for $8-$9. I decided to get the Duck Wrap (a bit like the P.F. Chang lettuce wraps but saltier) to start.

Duck Wrap

For my entrée, I ordered the Pad Thai with chicken. It was tasty but a bit too sweet. Pad Thai is such a standard dish to order yet there is so much variance from place to place. I will continue my search for the ultimate Pad Thai.

Chicken Pad Thai

If you're in the Chelsea area for lunch, check it out. These places are best to visit during lunch for the best deal!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Take Me To Calexico

A Cancelled Class Visit Turns into a Mexican Lunch

Last week, my class was supposed to visit Kickstarter on Monday. Due to Veteran's Day, we had to move the visit to next week. Instead of heading right back to campus, we had lunch at Calexico (http://www.calexico.net/). 

We ordered guacamole, chips and salsa for the table. The guac was awesome and still chunky - I hate when it's too smooth. I'm still on that low carb kick so I ordered a Burrito Bowl without rice and beans but with extra meat. I chose the Carne Asada. It was delicious! I got the "crack sauce" which is a chipotle something or other. 

Carne Asada NOM

Cute artwork on the walls.

This is a nice Mexican spot. I would probably check it out again.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Miss Korea is a BBQ Expert!

Finally Visiting this Koreatown Favorite!

I live in Herald Square which is right next to Koreatown. This is super convenient when you have a friend visiting that wants to try some Korean BBQ! I've wanted to try Miss Korea (http://www.misskoreabbq.com/) for awhile. Every time I went before it was super crowded, likely because it was at dinner time. This time, we went for lunch before our musical (First Date)k

Miss Korea is Pretty in Pink

We ordered two entrees to split: Veggies & Tofu and Bulgogi (a thinly sliced marinated meat served in lettuce wraps). Korean BBQ places load you up with a free arrangement of veggies, may of them pickled. It is always interesting to figure out what the food is, as each place has its own assortment of "appetizers". 

Mystery Appetizers! Gimme that Kimchi!

Now, for our Vegetables and Tofu! Along with the vegetables, there was a certain type of apple served. There was also an interesting dipping sauce; it tasted somewhat like a fermented bean sauce. 

Eating Corn on the Cob with Chopsticks...it's hard

Finally, the star of the show arrived: Bulgogi! It is my favorite: nom nom nom!

Meat: it's what's for lunch

Out of the many Korean places I've been to in Koreatown, this is at the top of the list. I will definitely go back when my parents come to visit: they love the BBQ!

Cheers, 

Liz

 

Chelsea Brewing Company

Brewery Tour with Block 3!

This past Saturday, I organized a tour with some Sternies to the Chelsea Brewing Company. Since it is October, I wanted to find a spot that featured something special for Oktoberfest. After doing some research, I found that Chelsea Brewing Company (http://www.chelseabrewingco.com/) was having a Wet Hop Harvest Festival from October 18th to October 20th. The event featured 20 Beers on Tap from Chelsea Brewing Company and Brew Master select guest brews, traditional Oktoberfest food and live music. 

Another reason why this venue was attractive is they offer a brewery tour each Saturday for Free! They are offered on the hour starting at 2pm. The tour includes a sample of beer as well. 

Pat Greene, Director of Brewing Operations

The tour lasted for about 30 minutes and included the history of the brewery and interesting facts about beer production. During this tour, I found out that Pat is also an NYU alum (I was wearing an NYU shirt). 

Free Sample!

During the tour, we were all offered a sample of our choice. I chose the Pumpkin Pie Ale. Pat explained it is made with fresh roasted squash and a mix of spices (cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, etc.). It was lovely! I'm not a huge beer fan, but I do love beer that has a fun flavor profile (typically sweet).

Inside of the Brewery Restaurant

The restaurant features all of the beers produced by the Brewery. The beers are very fresh - right from the tap!

Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers

While we were enjoying our afternoon, we sat on the patio. The view is incredible! The weather has been pretty warm this season, though yesterday I started to feel the chill of fall. 

German Food!

I ordered the bratwurst with chopped onions and dijon mustard. It was so yummy!

PUG!

On my way home, I ran into a pug (my favorite dog breed ever!). This capped off a wonderful afternoon.

I would highly recommend visiting Chelsea Brewing Company. It was a great way to spend the day with some classmates, learn about the beer industry and support a local business. Consider it as a first date idea!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Tiki Time!

Intern Birthday Lunch!

One of my fellow interns celebrated his birthday during the summer and we had a wonderful lunch at Tommy Bahama (http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Stores_Restaurants/New_York_City.jsp). We had a DELICIOUS lunch and I ordered a Mai Tai. BOY, was it strong!! Don't get me wrong, I love a strong cocktail, but this was almost to the point of being undrinkable. I had to ask for more pineapple juice to water it down. 

The vibe of the spot is awesome and it really changes up the typical Midtown lunch routine. No more buffets!

Cheers,

Liz